What role do religion and ethical values play in social change and political decisions in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a historic transformation in which religion and ethical values play an important role. Central but changing role in social change and political decisions. This development is characterized by a complex balance between traditional religious authority and modernizing state control under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Basic structure of religious authority

Constitutional basis

Saudi Arabia is an Islamic theocracyin which the 1992 Basic Law recognizes Sharia as a constitution and the Quran and the Sunnah as the supreme source of law defined[1][2]. The legal system is based on the Hanbali legal school of Sunni Islaminterpreted by the Wahhabi tradition[3].

The King is at the top of the legal system as the supreme authority for pardons and appeals[2]. The political legitimacy of the Al Saud family has rested for almost 275 years on its Alliance with the Wahhabi clergy[4], which is a symbiotic relationship between political and religious power has created[5].

The council of the highest scholars

The Council of Senior Scholars is that highest religious body of the kingdom and advises the King on religious matters[6][7]. The body, founded in 1971, consists of 21 memberswho are appointed by the king and paid by the state[7][8].

Since 2010 only members of the Council and a few other Islamic scholars have the right to issue fatwas in Saudi Arabia[7][8]. This means a State monopolization of religious authoritywhich ensures centralized control over religious interpretation[6][9].

Transformation under Mohammed bin Salman

Reorganization of the religious landscape

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has a Systematic restructuring of religious institutions which aims to strengthen the religious authority of the centralize under the direct control of the monarchy[10][11]. These changes are not to be understood as the abolition of religion, but as Repositioning religion as an instrument of state control[12].

The so-called "religious reforms" aim to achieve this, Eliminate alternative centers of powerthat could challenge MbS's absolute authority[10]. This is less about a fundamental reform of Wahhabi doctrine than about the Subordination of religious authority to political power[13][4].

Weakening the religious police

One of the most visible changes was the Drastic curtailment of the powers of the religious police (Mutawaa) in 2016[14][15]. Since then, the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice may no longer arrest, pursue or question[16][17].

The new guidelines oblige the religious police to carry out their tasks "friendly and gentle" and to report violations only to the regular police[16][18]. Former officials report that the commission "practically no longer exists" and their "Deprived of essential powers" was[19].

"Moderate Islam" as state doctrine

In 2017, MbS announced its return to a "moderate Islam that is open to all religions"[20][21][22]. However, this rhetoric primarily serves the Image improvement abroad and economic stimulation[12], not a fundamental theological reform.

Vision 2030 explicitly describes a "vibrant society that embodies the spirit of modern Islam"[23][24]. This "modern Islam" should traditional cultural values with contemporary needs but remains firmly under state control[24][25].

Social change and religious values

From religious to national social contract

Saudi Arabia is experiencing a Transformation of the social contract from religious identity to nationalism[26][27]. The traditional social contract was based on three pillars: the royal family as the unifying authority, the religious establishment as the ideological basis and oil as the economic foundation[27].

The new vision aims to achieve this, Saudi Arabian nationalism as the main legitimizing force to make[26]. Religion remains an important instrument of governance, but is redirected to support this new nationalist project[26][28].

Cultural and social reforms

The social reforms introduced under MbS - Driving for women, mixed events, cinemas and concerts - were unthinkable just a few years ago[20][21][12]. These changes were brought about by a Suppression of religious voices which would have prevented such reforms in the past[29][30].

At the same time, the regime has Campaign to promote public ethics started, which "traditional Saudi Arabian values and respect" emphasized[25]. This initiative shows how ethical values are used selectively to promote desired social behaviors[25].

Generational differences

About 70% of the Saudi Arabian population is under 30 years old[22][31], and this young generation is not opposed to the reforms. predominantly positive opposite[32][33]. A young woman from Riyadh explained: "We Saudis are nomads with a vision, that's part of our identity"[33].

The older generations, on the other hand, show more Resistance to the rapid changes[34]. This leads to Generational conflicts and family tensionsas traditional values collide with modern aspirations[34][33].

Political decision-making processes and religious counseling

The Shura Council as an institutional framework

The Majlis al-Shura (Advisory Council) embodies the traditional Islamic concept of consultation (shura) in modern governance[35][36]. The from 150-member committee advises the king on important matters of state[36][37].

The Council is based on the "Holding fast to the rope of God and adherence to the sources of Islamic law"[37]. Its members are "from the people of knowledge, experience and specialization" selected[37][38].

Since 2004, the Shura Council Propose new laws and amend existing oneswithout having to submit them to the king beforehand[35][36]. This represents a significant expansion of his originally purely advisory function[36].

Religious legitimization of political decisions

Important political decisions will continue to be legitimized by religious authorities. The Grand Mufti, as Chairman of the Council of the Highest Scholars, regularly calls for the "national support" on[39].

This is particularly significant as the Al-Sheikh family as the official interpreter of Wahhabism the religious basis for Saudi Arabian nationalism provides[39]. The religious establishment functions as Bridge between traditional Islamic legitimacy and the modern nation state[39][40].

Restrictions and control

At the same time, the Instrumentalization of religion through massive restrictions on religious diversity of opinion. The law criminalizes anyone who "directly or indirectly the religion or justice of the king or crown prince" in question[41][42].

Preachers must state-approved and receive their salaries from the government[1][41]. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs monitors all mosques and dismisses preachers with "deviant ideology"[41].

Areas of tension and contradictions

Authoritarian modernization vs. religious tradition

Saudi Arabia demonstrates how authoritarian modernization selectively uses religious traditions. MbS has shown that he is ready, arrest and prosecute religious scholarswho challenge his authority[13][4][29].

These "Revolution from above" retains the authoritarian structures, while Religious authority under political control brings[32][33]. Religion is not abolished, but converted into an instrument for legitimizing political decisions[10][12].

International contradictions

Internationally, Saudi Arabia presents itself as Guardian of the holy places and advocate of moderate Islam[1][43]. At the same time, the country Over 200 executions per year many of them for religious or political dissidence[44][45][46].

These contradictions show the Instrumental use of religious rhetoric for different target groups: moderate language for international investors and strict enforcement for internal control[44][45].

Limits of the reform

Despite all the reforms, the Basic structures of religious rule intact. Sharia remains the Primary source of law[3][41], and all important decisions are ultimately made by the king[35][37].

Critics such as the organization ESOHR warn that the reforms are primarily "Greenwashing" represent the Continued suppression of religious and political dissidence verschleiert[47][45].

The future of the religious-political relationship

Institutional continuity

The Basic structure of Islamic statehood remains in place. The Council of the Highest Scholars was reconstituted in 2020[48], which underlines the continuing importance of religious institutions, even if they are under increased state control[9].

The Shura principle as an Islamic counseling concept continues to be Legitimation basis used for political decisions[37][38]. This shows how traditional Islamic governance concepts are integrated into modern authoritarian structures[49][50].

New ethical frameworks

Saudi Arabia develops new ethical frameworksthat combine Islamic values with modern needs. The SDAIA initiative for ethical AI research of 2024 shows how Religious values in technological innovation be integrated[51].

These developments point to a pragmatic approach in which religious values are used selectively in order to Justify modernizationwithout the Basic religious identity of the state[51][52].

Conclusion

Religion and ethical values play an important role in Saudi Arabia. transformative but controlled role in social change and political decisions. Under Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom has moved away from a model of shared religious-political authority to a system of centralized state control over religious institutions developed.

This transformation shows how Authoritarian regimes use religious traditions strategically to be able to both To legitimize modernization as well as strengthen political control. Religion is not abolished, but as a flexible instrument of state management which is adapted according to political needs.

The Vision 2030 represents a new social contract in which national identity becomes the primary source of legitimacy, while Islam as a supporting cultural pillar functions. This development could be seen as Model for other authoritarian states which serve similar balances between religious tradition and political modernization strive for.

The long-term effects of this transformation remain to be seen, in particular the question of whether the young generation the new balance between religious values and national identity will accept, or whether the suppressed religious voices will cause a reaction at some point.

Supplementary assessment from a Gradido perspective

This in-depth compilation provides a multi-layered insight into how religion and ethical values are simultaneously a driving force, a legitimizing factor and an instrument of control in today's Saudi Arabia - and how they are used strategically in the service of social change and state modernization.

Continuity and change - a balancing power factor

• Islam as a fundamental regulatory framework:
  In Saudi Arabia, Sharia remains the central source of law and cultural matrix that defines public morality and political legitimacy. The power of the royal family rests on an alliance with religious scholars - but today this relationship is increasingly politically controlled and centralized.

• "Moderate Islam" for visibility and innovation:
  Vision 2030 positions a "modern Islam" as a gateway to social change, international connectivity and economic transformation. Religious values are not abolished, but modernized - and subordinated to the development of the state.

Instrumentalization and control

• State assumption of religious authority:
  Through the monopolization of the right to issue fatwa, the disempowerment of the religious police and the obligation of all preachers to follow state guidelines, religion remains central - but its "voice" is more tamed than ever before.

• Ethics as an instrument of flexibilization:
  Ethical concepts are specifically charged with Islamic values in order to religiously secure central innovation topics such as AI, education and social change.

Generational change & social contract

• From the "religious" to the "national" social contract:
  National identity and pride in transformation are gradually taking its place alongside - and in some cases replacing - purely religious legitimization. The young, dynamic generation in particular approves of the reforms and supports the change; older people are sometimes skeptical or openly concerned about the loss of tradition.

Areas of tension & contradictions

• Modernization versus authoritarian structures:
  Many freedoms that are visible today (e.g. for women, cultural events) are the result of political decisions - not social negotiation. Anyone who challenges political or religious authority encounters narrow limits.

• Religion as a dual function:
  Externally, the country presents itself as the guardian of sacred sites, internally as a modern, national "role model" state - with religion as a flexible tool for political narratives, social campaigns and ethical innovation guidelines.

Relevance and opportunities for Gradido

• Docking to ethical & religious values:
  Gradido can creatively take up the deeply rooted ideals of fairness, responsibility for creation and intergenerational orientation towards the common good.

• Bridge between future and tradition:
  The combination of sustainable innovation and Islamic ethics offers an enormous opportunity to introduce the Gradido model as a valuable addition rather than a competitor.

• Impulses for dialog and reflection:
  Gradido initiatives could gain social breadth and acceptance by carefully addressing and helping to shape religious actors.